Fig. 5.

Lack of evidence for bacterial or fungal organisms in Splunc1^−/− middle ears. Middle ear sections from Splunc1^−/− mice with otitis were examined for the presence of microorganisms. (A) A modified Gram stain was negative for bacteria. (B) Gomori methenamine silver (GMS) staining was performed to survey for fungal organisms. In this representative image, GMS staining produced typical black staining of both goblet cell mucus and luminal secreted mucus, but was negative for fungal organisms in luminal material. Scale bar: 57 µm (A); 38 µm (B).